Obituary of Ruth Bettencourt Silva

Ruth Bettencourt Silva, 86, of Newburyport and formerly of Peabody, died Tuesday evening at the Radius Healthcare Nursing Center, Danvers, after a short illness. She was the wife of the late Albert Silva. She was born in Peabody, MA on October 21, 1923, the daughter of the late Manuel and Josephine (Silva) Bettencourt and had resided in Peabody most of her life before moving to Newburyport 4 years ago. She was first employed as a glass blower at the former Sylvania Lighting Company in Salem. Later she worked at the Hotwatt Company in Danvers for 20 years. Following her retirement, she became a locker room attendant at the Kernwood Country Club in Salem for 12 years. Ruth enjoyed being with people and had been an active member of the Italian American Club in Peabody and the Franco American Club in Beverly. She enjoyed playing Bingo, working in her garden and cooking her choice recipes. She is survived by her four children and spouses, Ronald Silva of Newburyport, Thomas and Janet Silva of Boxford and Steven and Barbara Silva Alpharetta, GA, a daughter and son-in-law, Bonita “Bonnie” and Roger Murray of Newburyport, her cherished grandchildren, Nathan Murray of Haverhill, Rhonda Murray of Boston, Jeffrey Silva of Boxford, Chelsea and Kylie Silva both of Alpharetta, GA, a great grandson, John Murray of Haverhill and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the lat George Bettencourt. A Visitation will be held on Saturday from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility with a service there at 6:30 PM. Following cremation, an internment service will be held at the family lot in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem on Tuesday, December 29,2009 at 11:45 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. The family request that donations in her memory be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472.